Review: Sony 24-70mm f/2.8 ZA
17:46 EDT - Where I live the snow has turned to rain over the last month, so I suppose it's no wonder that I should be "gushing" over our next lens up for review, the excellent Sony 24-70mm f/2.8 ZA.
Announced on January 30, 2008, the Sony 24-70mm f/2.8 ZA was the first glimmer of Sony's plans to release a full-frame digital SLR, as the lens is full-frame compatible. The lens seems to be Sony's opening...
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Canon releases firmware updates for both Mark III dSLRs
08:03 EDT - Canon has released firmware version 1.1.2 for the EOS-1Ds Mark III digital SLR, as well as firmware version 1.2.3 for the EOS-1D Mark III digital SLR. Available now via Canon Japan's website, the updates incorporate a number of new features and improvements.
EOS-1Ds Mark III: This firmware update (Version 1.1.2) incorporates the following improvements.Includes the following new features that were frequently requested by customers to the new firmware.Direct...
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PRESS RELEASE: SeaLife's New DC800 Underwater Digital Camera
12:24 EDT - Waterproof Adventure Camera Captures the World's Colors MOORESTOWN, N.J., April 29 /PRNewswire/ -- Just as the sun sets, dipping past the crystal blue waters of the ocean that was your host for the day, you playback all the spectacular scenes that came to life throughout the day's adventures. Mystical sea creatures and reefs full of vibrant life and color all captured on your SeaLife camera. SeaLife... (More)

PRESS RELEASE: Casio releases firmware version 1.02 for Exilim EX-F1
09:32 EDT - Casio has made available a download for firmware version 1.02 for the Casio Exilim EX-F1. Improvements provided by this update V1.01-V1.02:Shorter start-up time. High-speed zoom support during FHD movie recording. The firmware update can be downloaded from the Casio EX-F1 download page. As usual, please read the installation instructions carefully before installing the new firmware. (More)

Sunday, April 27, 2008

Review: Sony 18-250mm f/3.5-6.3 DT
17:50 EDT - We start the week off with thoughts of travel. In this case, Sony's latest "travel" lens, the 18-250mm f/3.5-6.3 DT.
Released by Sony in October 2007, the 18-250mm f/3.5-6.3 DT offers slightly more telephoto reach than Sony's other ''vacation'' lens, the 18-200mm f/3.5-6.3. The design and specifications of the 18-250mm...
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Friday, April 25, 2008

Accessory Review: Datacolor Spyder3 Elite
16:23 EDT - The newest Spyder fits a large sensor in a smaller package and can recalibrate twice as fast as it can calibrate.
The well-balanced monitor does not come out of a box. It takes some adjustment to get it right. Some people flatter themselves that they can do this by eye. And then never do. Others have been reading...
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Some thoughts on digital...
11:18 EDT - An email from blogger Mark Power, requesting permission to use an image from our Sony A350 review prompted me to think a little about the changes digital technology has been and is bringing to the experience of photography...
Blogger Mark Power emailed me yesterday, asking permission to use a photo Senior Editor Shawn Barnett had snapped with the Sony A350 SLR at the PMA show this year. Mark's written an excellent article...
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Nikon Releases Revised D3 Firmware(UPDATED)
11:17 EDT - Version 1.11 resolves the image corruption issue introduced in version 1.10 introduced earlier this month.
Nikon has released version 1.11 of the A and B firmware of the D3, its flagship dSLR model. Both A and B firmware must be upgraded to this version for "proper operation of your D3," the company said. But...
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Thursday, April 24, 2008

PRESS RELEASE: dvGarage Releases Greenscreen Keyer dpMatte for Aperture 2.1
16:02 EDT - Powerful Chromakeying Software with Real-Time Removal of Greenscreen for Photographers SAN FRANCISCO -- April 24 -- dvGarage today announced the release of "dpMatte," a greenscreen keyer for Apple's Aperture 2.1. Based on technology used in dvGarage's existing keyer, dvMatte, the new background replacement tool is the first plug-in to be released using Aperture's brand new SDK. "We're very excited... (More)

PRESS RELEASE: New Firmware Update Now Available for JOBO’s High-Resolution 7-inch Digital Picture Frame
09:17 EDT - Free firmware update provides users with a new folder structure function allowing for organized slideshows of up to 10,000 images Gummersbach, Germany (April 22, 2008) – JOBO AG announces today the availability of a free firmware update for current users of the JOBO Photo Display PDJ701. In addition, all new JOBO Photo Display PDJ701 products will include this firmware enhancement that allows... (More)

PRESS RELEASE: Kingston Technology’s ’Icons of Photography’ Offer Tips For Improving, Enhancing New Series of Images
09:09 EDT - ‘Critique My Image’ Provides Constructive Feedback from World-Class Photographers Fountain Valley, CA – April 23, 2008 -- Kingston Technology Company, Inc., the independent world leader in memory products, today announced it has posted the latest Critique My Image, a collection of photographs submitted by enthusiasts and pros from around the world seeking advice from Kingston’s... (More)

PRESS RELEASE: Canon celebrates production of 40 million EF lenses
08:50 EDT - TOKYO, April 23, 2008 -- Canon Inc. today announced the achievement of a new lens-production milestone as production of the company's EF lenses passed the 40-million mark. Production of interchangeable EF lenses for Canon EOS-series AF (autofocus) single-lens reflex cameras began in 1987 at the company's Utsunomiya Plant. Canon commemorated the production of its 10 millionth EF lens in August 1995,... (More)

PRESS RELEASE: Kodak Expands Inkjet Portfolio and Retail Availability with the New ESP 5 All-in-One Printer
08:39 EDT - Kodak Printers Receive Top Scores in Cost-of-Printing and Print Permanence ROCHESTER, N.Y., April 24 -- Eastman Kodak Co. continues to change the way the world prints at home with its new Kodak ESP 5 All-in-One (AiO) Printer (see datasheet). The newest device in Kodak's consumer inkjet printer portfolio offers the latest in design and performance, providing a high quality, easy-to-use printing system... (More)

PRESS RELEASE: Canon U.S.A. Plants Seed For Canon Forest Program
20:22 EDT - Nationwide Promotion Offers Consumers an Opportunity to Make a Difference in Their Communities With the Help of Canon LAKE SUCCESS, N.Y., April 22, 2008 -- Canon U.S.A, Inc., a leader in digital imaging, and the American Park Network today announced The Canon Forest Program, a nationwide promotional campaign. Beginning in May and running through August, for every 10 new and existing Canon Generation... (More)

Review: Sigma 50-150mm f/2.8
12:14 EDT - The Sigma 50-150mm ƒ/2.8 II, announced in December 2007, is an update to its previous 50-150mm ƒ/2.8.
It's hard to tell exactly what has been updated: comparing the specifications of the two lenses, they appear almost exactly identical, except version II seems to have shaved off 8mm from the overall length....
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PRESS RELEASE: Ritz Camera, Nikon Celebrate Earth Day By Making You Carbon Neutral For a Month
11:44 EDT - With Each purchase of a special edition eco-green Nikon S52 camera, Ritz Camera will help prevent nearly two tons of carbon dioxide from harming the Earth by making a donation to carbonfund.org BELTSVILLE, Md. -- April 22, 2008 -- In celebration of Earth Day, Ritz Camera, the largest retail camera and photo chain in the United States, today announced a unique new promotion called "Buy Green, Be Green"... (More)

PRESS RELEASE: Two Thousand Photographers Test ACDSee Photo Editor
11:33 EDT - Upgraded software available for last round of testing; full upgrade expected in summer VICTORIA, British Columbia -- April 22 -- ACD Systems International Inc. today announced the second round of public testing for ACDSee Photo Editor 2008, an easy-to-use digital design and layout software created especially for avid photographers and scrapbookers. Since testing began earlier this year, more than... (More)

PRESS RELEASE: Sony's Latest Digital Imaging Products 'Tumble' Into Spotlight with New HDNA Campaign
10:11 EDT - SAN DIEGO, April 18 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ -- Sony Electronics today launched an integrated marketing campaign in the U.S. where its new á (alpha) digital SLR cameras, Handycam(R) camcorders and Cyber-shot(R) point-and-shoot cameras literally "tumble" from a mountaintop. The campaign is a continuation of Sony's focus on HDNA - the notion of high definition being a key part of its DNA... (More)

Monday, April 21, 2008

PRESS RELEASE: Luxology's Peebler Interviews Photoshop Creator Knoll
18:00 EDT - This week's modcast from Luxology President Brad Peebler is an interview with John Knoll, an Academy-award winning motion picture visual effects specialist at Industrial Light & Magic. Knollw, who is one of the original founders of Photoshop, brings unique expertise and innovation in computer graphics to the creation of visual effects. The interview is a fascinating account of how Knoll leveraged... (More)

PRESS RELEASE: One Million Digital Memories Uploaded to the Web Through Eye-Fi
10:16 EDT - Eye-Fi Expands Retail Distribution to Include Fry's Electronics Retail Stores and Apple.com MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif., April 21 /PRNewswire/ -- Today Eye-Fi, Inc. (http://www.eye.fi) announced that Eye-Fi users have wirelessly uploaded more than one million photographs to the Web. Every minute, seven photos are wirelessly sent from an Eye-Fi Card to one of Eye-Fi's 25 online photo-sharing, blogging, printing... (More)

Sunday, April 20, 2008

Review: Pentax 75-300mm f/4.5-5.8
00:11 EDT - The Pentax 75-300mm ƒ/4.5-5.8 FA-J was released following the then-new *ist film SLR, in February of 2003.
The lens is still widely available, in either an all-black finish or a silver/black color scheme. The lens is designed to fit the a standard 35mm image circle, so it should work fine on a film body; however,...
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Friday, April 18, 2008

Phanfare Improves Web Client
12:52 EDT - Phanfare CEO Andrew Erlichson announced improvements to the service's Web client today. Text of the announcement follows: We released some new features today. The most significant portion of this release is a new Web client for managing your photos and videos. In addition to a complete re-write of the user interface to adjust to screen resolutions, show a lot more thumbnails and better enable image...
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Review posted for Sony W130!
12:01 EDT - A thin, compact and feature-laden digital camera, the 8.1-megapixel Sony Cyber-shot W130 handles a range of situations quite well.
With unique bonus features like smile detection, creative post-capture filters and an Easy shooting mode for beginners the Sony W130 gives you plenty of ways to both capture and play with your photos....
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Nikon Withdraws D3 Firmware 1.10 Update
11:48 EDT - The company confirms a combination of settings with the new firmware results in image corruption.
In a statement released today, Nikon confirmed that "with the updated [D3] firmware, image data may, in some rare cases, be corrupted." The combination of settings that cause the corruption are four:...
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Thursday, April 17, 2008

Review posted for Sony W170!
14:00 EDT - With a big lens and a stack of features, the Sony W170 is a digital camera that's made to please.
Its relatively large lens opening stands out, as does the optical viewfinder window, rare on such a small digital camera. The Sony W170's big 5x zoom is image stabilized, and starts at a nice, wide 28mm...
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Wednesday, April 16, 2008

Review: Pentax 50-200mm
17:16 EDT - Released in 2005, the Pentax 50-200mm ƒ/4-5.6 ED SMC P-DA represents the consumer end of Pentax's telephoto zoom lens offerings.
The lens is designed to fit the digital APS-C sensor, but I didn't find any evidence of corner vignetting on a film body until 135mm or longer. It's also a variable aperture lens, in that as you increase...
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PRESS RELEASE: DxO Labs Announces DxO Optics Pro v5 Software Public Beta for Mac Users
16:08 EDT - Macintosh users can download the free public beta for Mac starting today. Users are invited to log their comments onto the DxO Labs Web site PARIS, France -- April 15 -- DxO Labs today announced the beginning of a DxO Optics Pro v5 public beta testing period for users running the software on the Apple Macintosh platform. The free public beta -- available in English only at http://www.dxo.com -- will... (More)

PRESS RELEASE: Vivitar Signs SED International to Distribution Agreement
13:09 EDT - ATLANTA--(BUSINESS WIRE)--SED International, Inc. (OTCBB: SECX) announced a distribution agreement with Vivitar Corporation to supply the company’s popular line of ViviCam digital cameras and video recorders. “SED has been a valued partner in support of our Olevia LCD TVs. We are pleased that they recognize the quality, value and beauty of our Vivitar digital camera line and are now offering... (More)

Nikon Updates D3 Firmware(UPDATED)
12:25 EDT - Nikon has released an update to the firmware for its D3 flagship dSLR. The release updates both the A and B firmware with two binary files. Features, Fixes Modifications Enabled with upgrade of A and B firmware from ver. 1.00 to ver.1.10: • A Vignette Control item has been added to the Shooting Menu. For information regarding supported lenses, see the supplemental manual. • A Focus Point...
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PRESS RELEASE: xTrain Features Over 100 Free Shows on Adobe Systems' New Adobe® TV
11:40 EDT - New Adobe TV programs showcase world-class xTrain training programs Dallas, TX (April 9, 2008) – xTrain.com, a leader in online video training for photography, media, arts, and design, announces today that the company has licensed over 100 training segments that will be featured on Adobe TV. In addition, xTrain’s parent company Splash Media LP, an innovator and market leader of online... (More)

Sunday, April 13, 2008

Review: Sony 18-200mm retest
15:21 EDT - The Sony 18-200mm ƒ/3.5-6.3 DT is a member of the ''vacation lens'' club, with an extreme range of focal lengths available through the zoom range that makes changing lenses a thing of the past.
Or at least that's the idea with vacation lenses, but the trade-off for their obvious ease-of-use and zoom range is usually a distinct lack of optical quality. And while it's theoretically possible to...
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Friday, April 11, 2008

Full Review posted for Sony A350 SLR!
16:53 EDT - Only the 14-megapixel sensor, an articulating LCD screen, and Sony's new Live View mode differentiate the Sony A350 from the already reviewed Sony A200 digital SLR camera.
All three have an impact on the utility of the Sony A350, but overall image quality is surprisingly similar to the A200. The simplicity of the Sony A350's design belies its inner sophistication, which...
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Pentax offers rebates for students, educators
10:54 EDT - Pentax Imaging Co. has announced a special rebate scheme available only to full-time photography students and educators purchasing new Pentax equipment from an authorized dealer.
The rebates are pretty generous, and could easily save each individual several hundred dollars for, say, a DSLR body with a handful of lenses and a flash strobe. The K200D is eligible for a $75 rebate...
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Nikon announces Coolpix P80
00:01 EDT - Nikon Inc. has today announced its new Nikon Coolpix P80 digital camera.
The Nikon P80 is based around an optically image stabilized, Nikkor-branded 18x optical zoom lens with an impressive 27mm wide angle. Other features of the Nikon P80 include a 10.1 effective megapixel...
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Nikon: Two new S-series digicams
00:01 EDT - Continuing its digital camera announcements, Nikon Inc. has revealed two closely related models - the Nikon Coolpix S52c and Nikon Coolpix S52.
The Nikon S52 is the cheaper model with a $250 pricetag, and includes a nine megapixel CCD image sensor and 3x optical zoom lens. The Nikon S52c keeps the same imager and lens, but bumps the price ever...
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Wednesday, April 9, 2008

PRESS RELEASE: Canto Releases Cumulus 7.5.3 Product Line Tune-Up
22:10 EDT - Updates across the product line further tune performance for current operating systems. BERLIN, Germany, 9 April 2008 -- Canto has announced the immediate availability of Cumulus 7.5.3, a minor update that improves the performance and reliability of the entire Cumulus product line. Cumulus 7.5.3 is running "rock solid" on the recently released Service Pack 1 for Windows Vista, according to Canto... (More)

Nikon releases D40 firmware version 1.11
14:16 EDT - Firmware version 1.11 has been released for the Nikon D40 digital SLR. Available now via Nikon's support website, the update corrects an issue where shooting times were not always accurately recorded.
Modifications enabled with upgrade of A and B firmware from Ver. 1.10 to ver. 1.11:Shooting times were not always accurately recorded in image data for images captured in bursts of continuous shooting....
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Review: Nikon 18-55mm VR
02:54 EDT - The 18-55mm ƒ/3.5-5.6G VR was introduced in December 2007 as a new kit lens for the Nikon D40 and D40X cameras.
It's easy to dismiss this lens as ''the old kit lens plus VR,'' but in fact Nikon has reconfigured the lens design, replacing and re-arranging a variety of lens elements. Nikon has added four elements,...
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PRESS RELEASE: Tamron Announces Photo Workshops 2008: Take Your Photograpy To The Next Level And Have A Great Adventure While Doing It
14:42 EDT - Top Pro Shooters Teach On Location in 19 Cities Around the Country April 4, 2007, Commack, NY— If you want the straight scoop on what makes Tamron’s Photo Workshops a totally enjoyable learning, picture-taking, and interactive human experience, just ask the people who’ve done it—not just the participants, but the teachers as well. We know you’ll want to read their enthusiastic... (More)

PRESS RELEASE: Canon EOS 40D Firmware Update Version 1.0.8
08:59 EDT - Canon has released firmware version 1.0.8 for the EOS 40D digital SLR. Available now via Canon Japan's website, the update incorporates a number of improvements and fixes. This firmware update (Version 1.0.8) incorporates the following improvements and fixes.Fixes a phenomenon in which Image Stabilization operation emits a sound when certain buttons are pressed, with the EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS... (More)

Buffalo announces tiny (!) terabyte network storage device
08:30 EDT - Austin, TX-based Buffalo Technology (USA) Inc. has today announced an impressively small network-attached storage drive with RAID redundancy.
The Buffalo LinkStation Mini is so small it literally fits in the hand, and will initially be offered in a whopping one terabyte capacity. A 500GB version is expected follow at a later date. The LinkStation...
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PRESS RELEASE: myPhotopipe.com Launches Redesigned Web Site
10:06 EDT - Upgraded Web Site Generates Record Traffic and New Users, as Company Sharpens Focus on Growing Popularity of Online Ordering ATLANTA, April 7, 2008 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- myPhotopipe.com, Inc. (Pink Sheets: MPPC), a web-based online provider of digital photo processing and related services, today announced that it has completed several wide-ranging initiatives designed to further its position... (More)

Sunday, April 6, 2008

Review: Nikon DX 16-85mm
12:01 EDT - Released in March 2008, the 16-85mm ƒ/3.5-5.6 can be considered the ''designed-for-digital'' spiritual successor to the popular 24-120mm ƒ/3.5-5.6 VR.
The 24-120mm Nikkor gained much popularity with its combination of a convenient range of focal lengths and vibration reduction (VR) technology: however, it was considered by many to be unacceptably soft,...
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Friday, April 4, 2008

PRESS RELEASE: Sigma releases firmware update for SD14 DSLR
18:43 EDT - Sigma Corporation is pleased to announce that firmware Ver.1.07 for the SD14 is now available for download. SIGMA SD14 firmware [Ver.1.07] Benefits of the firmware update:Exposure time of Bulb Mode is increased from 30 seconds to 2 minutes (It is only available when the camera is set for Extended Mode). Accuracy of the Evaluative Metering has been improved. SD14 firmware Ver.1.07 is available for... (More)

Adobe Revises Photoshop Express Terms
5:15 EDT - In an email today to registered users of Photoshop Express, Adobe announced it has revised the terms of service for the application. The full text of the email follows: Adobe has revised the terms of service for the Photoshop Express beta -- https://www.photoshop.com/express/pxterms.html. Revisions were made in context of user feedback. The original terms of service implied things Adobe would never...
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Review: Canon EF 100-400mm
23:02 EDT - The Canon 100-400mm ƒ/4.5-5.6 IS USM telephoto zoom lens was released in September 1998.
The lens uses an older ''push-pull'' zoom design that extends the lens from its length of 189mm (7.4'') to almost 260mm (10.2'') when set to its most telephoto setting of 400mm. Incorporating both image...
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Vast & Fast: Western Digital MyBook Studio II Hard Drive
14:34 EDT - Like any other "stuff," image and movie files always seem to expand to fill all available hard drive space.
Western Digital may have an answer though: They've updated their popular MyBook line of hard drives with the new MyBook Studio II models. With maximum capacities of 1 and 2 Terabytes (that's a million...
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PRESS RELEASE: Pandigital Simplifies, Enriches Digital Photo Viewing with PanTouch Frames
13:08 EDT - New line of frames with patent-pending touch control technology debuts starting at $120; Frames optimize resolution -- up to 3200 images can fit on models with 512-MB memory; 10.4-inch model reaches new viewing heights with HD resolution DUBLIN, Calif., April 2 -- Pandigital, the leader in the U.S. digital photo frame market, today debuts its new PanTouch line of digital photo frames that greatly... (More)

PRESS RELEASE: Adobe Photoshop Lightroom Adventure 2008 Reality Check
12:40 EDT - Photographers Gather in Tasmania -- Get a Front Row Seat SEBASTOPOL, Calif. -- Acclaimed photographer and bestselling author Mikkel Aaland's bold passion for testing new digital photography software in creative ways is what he's best known for. As many know, Aaland journeyed to Iceland a few years back where he and a tireless crew of pro shooters tested the beta version of Adobe Photoshop Lightroom... (More)

PRESS RELEASE: muvee Unveils A New Brand Identity
12:19 EDT - Introduces a new logo, tagline and sets a course for the future. SINGAPORE and SAN FRANCISCO -- April 2 -- muvee today announced its new brand identity and corporate tagline, designed to enhance the company's profile and to communicate its value proposition to its customers and partners. As a pioneer and leader in the automatic video editing space, muvee has been a strong champion of innovation and... (More)

PRESS RELEASE: Adobe Delivers Photoshop Lightroom 2.0 Beta
00:26 EDT - SAN JOSE, Calif. -- April 2 -- Adobe Systems Incorporated (Nasdaq:ADBE) today announced Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 2.0 beta, a public preview of new and improved functionality to be delivered in the next major release. Lightroom is the professional photographer's essential toolbox, providing one application for managing, adjusting and presenting large volumes of digital photographs. Lightroom 2.0 beta... (More)

Tuesday, April 1, 2008

Olympus E-420 First Shots posted!
12:23 EDT - We've posted First Shots for the Olympus E-420 digital SLR camera, an updated version of the company's compact E-410 model.
Click here for our Olympus E-420 preview page, and then click on the Samples tab for all the images we've shot so far with the Zuiko Digital ED 14-42mm F3.5-5.6 kit lens. Stay tuned for more Olympus E-420...
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Review posted for Nikon Coolpix L15!
12:03 EDT - With a sleek look and a load of features, you'd expect the Nikon Coolpix L15 to have a high price tag, but this 8-megapixel digital camera retails for under $150.
The Nikon L15 has a 230,000-pixel, 2.8-inch LCD screen works well in sunlight, which makes framing images easy indoors and out. And the L15 also has both Face Detection and Vibration Reduction built in,...
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